Chapter Text
It's been a few months since the mission to the moon succeeded.
Now without a thread, the original mission to revive the rest of the world and build a new society with the help of science started to move forward at great speed.
Xeno finally abandoned the idea of becoming a dictator and ruling the world as he saw the influence his mentee Senku has with the rest of the people, deciding to join to his mission and keep making his beloved science.
Along with him a certain sniper works by his side again after returning from the moon.
After spending five years apart and one extra as they kept working on the mission, they made the quiet promise to never leave each other's side again.
Their years of constant yearning collapsed the day Stanley got depetrified, finally having the long awaited talk on their feelings and becoming what Senku called “The most insufferable couple he ever saw”.
So that brings them to the actual moment, back in America since Xeno offered to help to start a new city for a while and then return to Japan to aid his mentee in the new project they started to plan.
Stanley made fun of him telling that he just really missed their home.
He brushed the comment with a “You know I don't care for sentimentalism, but I do miss the weather back home”.
Stanley was currently out on a mission, constantly reporting back to the scientist with their radio as the team looked for a good site to start a city.
The last report indicated that he would come back soon, the thing that made Xeno curious was the nervous tone on Stanley's voice as he talked.
That was a few hours ago, so by now the ex-soldier should cross the door at any time, Xeno thought since the distance between his partner and the central camp where he was currently working wasn't that long.
And as if he had summoned him. He heard the announcement that the exploration team had returned. Surely his partner would be shortly coming to him to tell the new findings in their homeland.
And just as he kept adjusting some gears, the familiar sound of boots getting closer to his direction made it clear his assumption was correct.
“Ah, I see you finally arrived, Stan”. He said without turning back but knowing he was standing in the entrance. “How was the mission?”
Stan didn't attempt to get closer, he just stood in the place.
<<That's odd>>, Xeno thought. Stanley would usually get closer to him even if he warned him about some experiment.
He brushed the situation, perhaps he just wanted to stay in the entrance. <<The weather inside the lab is higher than outside and after a long walk he should be sweating>> he assumed.
“It was fine. We found the right location, but there's something I need to tell you Xeno–”
“Just a moment dear. I have to finish this, then I want to hear your report on the situation”. Xeno cut the ex-soldier, manipulating the most delicate part of his project.
“Then are they finally starting the new city?” He asked wanting to keep the conversation as he still kept his eyes on the machine.
“Yes. We choose the location A245” Stanley said, still without making an attempt to get closer to the scientist.
“That 's perfect. I suppose you found the optimal ground to start a city”.
“Yes, but there's something else–”
“I should probably go take a look before we go back to Japan” Xeno interrupted Stan.
“That sounds good, but Xeno–”
“Also getting more resources myself in the new areas sounds like a good idea. Perhaps you already found something and bring it here so I–”
His rambling was interrupted by a sudden crying.
Xeno froze in his place, finally turning around to see his partner.
Stanley was attempting to soothe a baby he was currently holding in his arms.
“There was a…situation…” he explained, looking at Xeno for a short moment before getting his attention back at the infant as he rocked her.
After some more crying the child finally fell asleep.
Then when the silence filled the room. Xeno finally found his words.
“Dear…Why are you holding a baby?”
Stanley sighed.
“Can we move to a place with a less risk of something blowing up before we talk?”
Right. Xeno forgot about the mechanism he was holding a few moments ago.
He nodded, organizing his project to come back later and finish it before heading towards Stanley's direction and leading the path to a break room.
“So…What happened?”
Stanley took a deep breath and then explained.
°°°
The ex-soldier was on the last part of the mission to find the perfect area, after a long walk their current location seemed good enough to build the new city.
He was about to announce the retreat to their camp to report the success when something got his attention.
In the distance a sound resembled a baby's cry.
He didn't believe it. A baby in the middle of nowhere? The simple idea was ridiculous.
Still he followed the noise, expecting to find a wounded animal at best.
Once he reached the source of the sound his eyes couldn't believe it.
Close to a river was what definitely looked like a baby.
She couldn't be more than a few months old, there wasn't a trace of someone caring for her and by the stone surrounding her…it wasn't that long since she got depetrified.
Without losing another second he ordered his team to look around the area, as he got closer to the child to cover her with his jacket.
He announced his retreat back to the main camp to find food for the baby, not before remarking the importance of finding any clue that would implicate another person being around.
While making the return trip to the camp, he tried his best to soothe the baby, lulling her until she fell asleep from tiredness.
On his way back a message from one of the team announced the most unbelievable thing.
There were no signs of another person being closer to the area.
<<It can't be>> Stan thought, looking at the sleeping baby. If nobody was close to the area that would mean…
Nitric acid…or he supposes that's the substance if he remembers Xeno's words correctly.
That's how they first started to depetrify people.
“But that only works if the petrified person stays awake…So that would mean…”. The reveal came to him.
<<I have to take her with Xeno>>.
°°°
Xeno couldn't believe it.
“So you're telling me…This baby stayed conscious for more than three thousand years and got depetrified just the moment your team was casually around the area?”
Once the words were said out loud, it only remarked how ridiculous that sounded.
Stanley knew it, but they searched the whole area and there was not a single trace of someone doing it.
There was also the fact that the revival fluid wasn't accessible to just everyone.
“I know it's crazy, but what other reason could there be?”
Xeno took a moment to let that sink, this baby did something truly elegant, most of the population didn't even surpass one day staying conscious. What would motivate an infant to be awake for that much time?
“It was hunger, Xe” Stan answered, startling Xeno in the process, he never said that aloud…
“It's written all over your face” he smiled “And no, we won't petrify her again just so you can study”.
“I wasn't thinking that” Xeno denied, “I was thinking I should go and take a look at the area where you found her. That way I can analyze if there's really nitric acid”. He said as he stood up and offered to take the baby. Stan gave her and then he also stood up, searching for something in one of his pockets.
Xeno ignores him to inspect the baby in his arms, her hair was blonde just as Stan’s, the color of her eyes being a mystery for now until she wakes up again, also based on her size, she shouldn't be more than five or six months old, but since he wasn't an expert on the matter they definitely should find a doctor for that.
“But now that you said it…testing his brain waves wouldn't be such a bad idea”. Xeno said as he played with the small hands of the girl.
The blonde stopped his movements to throw a look at Xeno that screamed “Don't”. He took his cigarettes and then he got closer to leave a kiss on Xeno's forehead.
“Now, do me a favor dear and keep her as I go for a smoke” and just like that he started to walk to the exit, ignoring his heart beating faster at the image of Xeno holding a baby.
Once the ex-soldier was gone Xeno looked at the baby, then at the door and then at the baby again.
“What a peculiar situation” he said to the sleeping baby. “Let's go find some milk for you and after that I will design you some clothes, I bet being wrapped in just a jacket isn't comfortable”.
…
According to Xeno, the baby was around six months old and currently very hungry if her irritability and constant crying indicated something.
Even if she was probably around six months, offering her something more than milk was a risk he couldn't take as they didn't have the right equipment to help her in such a scenario. So first he offered small spoonfuls of some milk he found in the camp, not wanting to fight with a glass.
The baby eagerly accepted it, drinking enough to finally calm her down.
As she finished the third round of the slow feeding, Stanley entered the room with different clothes, Xeno gave him a questioning look.
“I didn't want to smell like smoke” he offered, getting closer to them.
“I was thinking we could revive the people we find near the area, if we ask maybe one of them will remember a couple with a baby or we could even find the parents”.
“That's an elegant plan”. The scientist said, switching places with Stan so now the latter was the one holding the kid. “We can go tomorrow to look around the place you found her, it's rather late now to take her with us”.
Stanley looked at Xeno with surprise written on his eyes “You plan to keep her?”
“Yes. I don't think anyone else would like to take care of her in the meantime”.
“Fine, but are you really sure? It's hard to take care of a baby”
“Do you think I'm not capable of taking care of a child? It's not rocket science Stan, and even if it were, I could do it” Xeno states with an unamused tone.
“Well..you tend to forget about your own health so…” Stan tried to say as he ignored the deadly glare Xeno throwed at his direction.
“That's besides the point. We have you to take care of us. Or you can't do that, commander?” The scientist says without hiding the challenging tone.
Stanley rolled his eyes at the childish tone, “Of course I can” he answered with confidence.
Then he added “But you're the one that will make the resources we need for her, like diapers and perhaps a baby bottle or milk powder?”
“Did you know that the process to make milk powder stands by the same principle used to make the food for the astronauts?” Xeno started directing his explanation to the baby on Stan's arms that looked at him with curious eyes. <<Big olive coloured eyes, even in that she looks like Stan>> Xeno noticed as his heart skipped a beat at the idea of the baby looking like a copy of his dear partner.
Meanwhile Stanley also had to control his heartbeat at the sight of Xeno talking to the girl with a sweetest tone.
<<It's been only a few hours, I can't start to get attached to that kid already!>> He thought, wishing he could smoke in that instant.
Instead he kept watching Xeno explain the process to make every item they would need.
“First we need a crib” he started, walking around the place to get materials and blue prints.
“We’re not used to having an extra person in our bed so the risk of crushing her in our sleep disqualifies the possibility of her sleeping with us!”
More pacing around the lab.
“Next are the baby bottles. The efficiency of a bottle with a nipple would certainly make the process of feeding her easier. Also since she is around six months old we can also start to introduce her to food, so porridge is something we should make…”
“And diapers before she ruins more of my clothes” Stanley that just let his partner talk non stop until then reminded him as he holds the restless baby.
“That's the trickier article we need. We have more than enough cellulose and polymer for the absorbent part, but making the external waterproof layer might take a few attempts, I also have to consider the possibility of her having allergies to some component”.
“Perhaps just ones made of cloth then?” The blonde offered.
“Absolutely no, my science can find an elegant solution to this, I’ll just need to make several options to try and then decide the best”.
Xeno finished scribbling a blueprint and then he gave it to Stan “For now, can you take this and show it to the construction team? I’ll keep the baby in the meantime”.
“That was fast” Stanley said as he looked at the already finished plans for the crib.
“The faster we get our hands free, the faster we'll work” the scientist dismissed.
“Right. Then I’ll be back. Don't lose the baby among so many blueprints”.
He ran before he could hear the complaint of his partner.
In the path to find the construction team he found Charlotte and Maya, both stopped him to ask about Xeno's reaction to the kid.
“He just started to plan a whole set of things for her” he shook the paper in his hands. “He's more excited than I expected”
Maya laughed “Well look at you two. Already expanding your family”.
“I really thought captain Stanley and doctor Xeno would leave the baby with someone else, but it's good you decided to keep her” Charlotte agreed.
“It's temporary, I plan to search for her parents, in the meantime Xeno just wants to watch her to find the true reason for her depetrification”.
Both girls shared a look “If you said so Captain”. The blonde girl said before they let the man keep his path.
<<It's true>> Stanley thought as he walked <<We are not made to raise a baby>>.
…
After making the plans for certain items and presenting them to the construction team, both decided to take the girl to the closest doctor in the area.
This doctor ended up being surprised by the presence of a baby in the new society and after a rigorous exploration he told that she was in fact six months old, and only needing a bath, but overall healthy.
The couple let out a sigh of relief at that, which earned a happy stare from the doctor who congratulated them for the baby.
Both immediately tried to deny the statement in vain as the doctor kept saying he supported them. Resigned, they just thanked him and left the place.
“That was such a statement” Xeno said as they walked towards their provisional home. Stanley being the one currently carrying the girl. “Us as parents? Even back in the old days that wasn't a practical option”.
Stanley hummed in agreement “Our work fields weren't made for us to even consider that possibility”.
“Even now with us helping the world come together, our time to spend with her would be very limited”. Xeno added.
“Right, also her parents are still probably around”.
Silence filled the space after that.
It was true, that girl wasn't some orphan, her family was still petrified somewhere. They just happened to find her at the right moment.
It didn't make sense that Xeno’s chest hurt a little at the idea of handing her over. <<Such an irrational feeling. We just found out about her a few hours ago>>.
Stan looked at the baby, she looked back at him and smiled.
“She really looks like you” Xeno murmured, hypnotized by the image in front of him.
Stanley turned to look at him, “Wha-Of course not!”.
“Dear. Blonde hair, her eyes? She could pass as your daughter” the scientist remarked “Also I’ve seen your baby pictures, she looks exactly like you”.
The ex-soldier was about to refute what his partner just said but the sound of giggling coming from the girl stopped him.
“See? Even she agrees”.
The blonde sighed in resignation, he couldn't fight with both of them. He smiled at the baby that was babbling at the moment as she looked around the area with curious eyes.
“She has your natural curiosity though” he said.
Xeno scoffed “All kids have natural curiosity”.
“She also likes to talk a lot” Stan add joking.
The scientist throws at him a pretended look of annoyance before taking the girl in his arms. “Don't listen to him, it's not our fault we have a lot to say” he says to the baby that just laughed at that.
<<This is going to be the end of me>> Stanley thought as he watched the exchange. <<I just hope she doesn't have bad sleeping habits too>>.
…
His concern was proved that same night as they got awakened by the child crying for the sixth time.
Even if both were used to sleeping late at night or not sleeping at all, they started to feel the exhaustion of getting up to check on the girl.
Xeno moved inside the bed sheets, eyes still closed but his breathing letting know he was awake. When he tried to get up, Stanley covered him up again.
“It's okay love, I’ll go this time” he reassured, already standing to walk towards the brand new crib.
“Fine, just remember to heat the milk at exactly 98.6°F” a sleepy Xeno mumbled from the bed, already falling asleep again.
Stan let out a chuckle at the words, his scientist might be practically sleeping but he still was a worried mother.
Once the ex-soldier reached the girl he carried her in his arms, making soothing noises as he went to the kitchen to get the milk.
He watched the bottle warm up and after confirming the temperature was good he offered it to the girl that just started to eagerly drink.
“You really are a hungry little thing, huh?” He whispered to the girl, hypnotized by her that he almost missed the sound of footsteps behind him. “You should be sleeping,” he said to the person approaching.
Xeno got closer to them without saying a thing, hugging Stan from behind as he also started to watch the girl eat.
Enjoying the warm moment while both were thinking.
<<This feels right>>.
Such a charming moment broke once the girl ended his bottle and started to cry again the moment she was put on the crib.
They tried everything, from changing the diaper prototype to see if something was off with the crib. Even a lullaby sung by an awkward Stanley and Xeno explaining the most boring book he knew about thermodynamics.
Nothing seemed to work except for having her in their arms.
“I think that's our only option” Xeno declared, too tired to keep fighting with the six-month-old baby. Stanley agreed, carrying her to their bed and letting her in the middle.
They looked awed as the girl fell asleep almost immediately, both celebrate in silence, fearing that any noise would awake her.
After being sure she would wake up again, they settled on the sides. Xeno was not used to sleep without holding Stan so he offered his hand, the other wasted no time in holding him, interlocking his fingers above the baby's head as they closed their eyes to finally rest.
…
“We’re here” Stanley stopped his walk as they reached the place where he found the girl.
It was almost noon. After getting up earlier in the morning to prepare for the trip, both decided to take the walk to go find answers.
It took some hours with Xeno stopping every now and then to get materials or analyze the place but they were finally at the spot.
The scientist looked around.
Pieces of stone belonging to the baby stayed still in the place that was in fact very close to a water source, making the ground wet.
He bent down to take a sample of the ground.
“If she really was depetrified thanks to nitric acid, this should help us to find out”. He explained as he also took a sample of the stone.
“But by the look of these fragments, it's rather likely the ground contains a small amount of nitric acid. The pattern of her depetrification starts on the back. If someone had thrown the liquid on her this would look different”.
Stanley looked around the area, as he wears a baby sling with the girl.
“How is that there's enough nitric acid in the ground?”
“This zone is well known by the storms it has. Your team even had to delay the search for that same reason, right?” Xeno asked, inspecting the small river.
At Stan's nod he continued “Nitric acid is rare but it can be found in the nature thanks to severe thunderstorms that can produce temperatures high enough to generate nitrogen dioxide which combines with water to form nitric acid. This is usually either rained or washed out of the atmosphere in very low concentrations. That's the most likely explanation but there's also other sources like groundwater around active volcanic regions, or drainage from areas where accumulated organic or animal wastes are present, the later being the case of Senku’s depetrification”.
“Love, that's a very nice explanation but get to the point”.
The scientist huffed, “The short explanation is that the constant storms in this area we're enough to form this small river that has the sufficient concentration of nitric acid to revive a person, in this case, the baby”. Xeno offered again.
“Well that clears the mystery” Stan closed the distance between him and Xeno to offer the baby, once the scientist took her he went to grab a shovel. “It's to find her parents”.
And with that, the ex-soldier started to dig around the area, finding what was practically a grave of people. Most of them not being even in a good enough condition to be revived.
Xeno was only glad his mentee wasn't around to see that.
Stanley was doing the work alone until part of his team showed up to help, making the labor easier. It took several hours, but they finally manage to find a statue in good conditions, the scientist covered her with a cloth before spilling the revival fluid.
A sweet lady in her late fifties woke up, looking around with a scared face.
Someone on the team tried to calm her down and explain the situation.
In the meantime the couple watched the baby play with a set of cubes Xeno made. She was on a blanket placed on the floor and the ex-soldier was helping her to be in a sitting position.
“...We knew the chances of finding her family were low” Xeno started, his gaze still fixed on the baby. “But I miscalculated the damage would be this big”.
“As far as we know, this could have been an avenue that ended up with a pile of cars. That would explain the number of broken statues”. Stan said as he took away one of the blocks from the girl when she tried to eat it.
“That's probably what happened. We are close to the Interstate 205”.
Once they reached that conclusion the silence between them fell again, just being interrupted by the little girl playing without knowing what she lost.
<<I could really use a smoke right know>>. Stanley thought, letting the idea go as soon as he felt the girl taking one of his fingers to play with it.
…
After digging more statues and bringing back only five more people, the couple decided to call it a day. Making the way back home with a sleeping baby for most of the path.
When they arrive both took turns to take a bath and then bathe the baby. This time they didn't brother with the crib, placing her in the middle of their bed just like last night.
Both enjoyed the silence in the room, more mentally exhausted of what they would like to admit after seing a bunch of statues. It wasn't the first time they saw that, but this time it placed a heavier feeling on them.
“What's the next plan, doc?” Stan broke the silence, watching Xeno's eyes that were blended with the darkness of the room.
The scientist hummed for a moment, evaluating the possibilities, weighing them before taking a decision.
Finally he said, “We should take her with us to Japan”.
“The boat trip takes around two weeks. I don't know if she can bear that”. Stan objected.
“We can make the preparations, but I think she'll be fine” he said before adding “That's our best option to find her a new family. Here we are still building cities and the people doesn't have much time to raise a baby”. Xeno argument.
The blonde raises an eyebrow “And why do you think Japan is any different?”.
“They have the Ishigami village. Perhaps it's not one hundred percent modern, but they have a more solid lifestyle. Maybe someone will take her”.
It wasn't a lie. But both knew she could stay in America and be just fine with a family willing to take her.
Even if they knew that, neither tried to deny the plan.
“Alright. Let's take her with us”.
…
It took two more weeks filled with preparations for the upcoming trip.
Those two weeks where filled with constant evaluation on boat protocols and the making of new items for the baby. It was draining with said baby demanding their attention most of the time.
For that they made a schedule, mostly for breaks to be with her as the other worked. Maya and Charlotte and even Brody offered to look after her several times but they always ended up getting reject.
The couple insisted they were fine and for Xeno it was the truth, Stanley on the other hand was more irritable than usual as he also was currently in abstinence. Not wanting to have his clothes impregnated with the smoke since he liked to hold the baby.
Xeno was overjoyed at the prospect of his partner finally leaving the ‘toxic fumes’.
It was hard to adapt to the new rhythm, but they finally were ready for the trip.
Stan was already on the deck, moving the last part of the luggage when he saw his partner approaching with the kid.
“Xeno, love. That's too much” he said the moment he laid eyes on the baby.
She was covered from head to toe with clothes, she was also wearing a life jacket that made her look funny, the only barely visible thing being her eyes
“I only did the bare minimum necessary to keep her safe in the journey” Xeno complained.
“Darling, she could pass like a ball right now and she won't even be close to the ship's edge” Stan tried hard not to laugh at the restless baby. “Here, give her to me”.
He took the little girl in his arms and then took away two layers of clothes and the life jacket. “You can finally breathe, right honey? Doctor Xeno was already a worried wife but it seems he's also a worried mom now. Don't you think so? Yes he is”.
“Don't make fun of me Stan” Xeno said, pouting at his partner who kept laughing with the baby.
This time it was Xeno's turn to feel his heartbeat speed up at the scene.
…
The first few hours after sailing were a complete nightmare for the couple.
One moment the baby was asleep and the next she transformed into a crying machine, not even the food calming her down.
“I assume this is a consequence of the constant movement from the ship” Xeno tried to say above the crying filling the room “We thought that would keep her lulled but we miscalculated the outcome”.
“Then we’ll have to endure this the rest of the trip?!” Stan said with a defeated tone as he rocked the baby in a desperate attempt to calm her.
“Not necessarily, we just have to find the variable that would calm her…We can even use the scientific method for this kind of situation, as we already have the problem we just have to make some hypothesis and their variables, the we can test them and see the outcome of every one, eventually one of them should be the one that helps us to…”
Stanley thought he would go crazy now with a baby crying with all the power of her lungs and with the rambling from Xeno. He mentalized himself for the long trip ahead when suddenly the only noise remained was Xeno's speech.
He looked at the baby, she wasn't asleep but she got distracted with something or rather, with someone still talking about a complicated way to put a baby to sleep.
“Xeno” he whispered.
“...Oh, It seems I let myself get carried away with this, I’ll stop now to help you” the scientist stopped his speech when he heard Stanley calling for him, that usually meant he got too deep into his thoughts.
“No, no. She likes it” Stan shakes his head frantically. “Keep going”.
Only then the scientist noticed the absence of the crying, his eyes lit up at the meaning.
“Ah, so you're one full of desire to know everything little one” he took the baby in his arms. “Well then as a former NASA scientist it is my duty to satisfy that curiosity. Let's see, we could start with…”
Stan watched for a moment the two of them, Xeno with the shine on his eyes he lost a long time as he talked to the curious girl that kept looking with all her concentration at the man holding her.
He smiled and then left the room, he could use a smoke.
…
“There you are dear”
Xeno said as he got closer to the man standing in the deck admiring the view.
Stanley turned to see Xeno, he was alone, “The girl?” He asked, opening his arms to embrace his partner.
The scientist hugged him and curled into Stan's body, humming a little before answering “She’s sleeping”.
Stan just nodded leaving a small kiss on Xeno's head as they fell in a moment with both enjoying their shared heartbeats along the sound of the sea.
Xeno breathed near Stan's neck before breaking the hug a little to look at his partner's eyes. “I can't smell the tobacco in you”.
The ex-soldier huffed, “I don't want to smoke with a baby so close to me” he blushed when Xeno's soft eyes filled with warm at his words
“Always such a gentleman. I can't believe you're holding down so well” he praised, making Stan’s heart skip a beat.
“I did think I would lose my mind a few moments ago”
Xeno laughed “Well, then perhaps I have the solution for that problem” he left a kiss on Stan's lips before holding one of his hands. “Follow me”.
They walked towards their cabin, the one next to where the baby was currently taking a nap.
The scientist let go of the other hand to reach a drawer and take a small bag.
“Here, I made this to help you” he offered.
The blonde reached for it, surprised by the content.
Stanley took one of the lollipops inside, there were so many options just like the ones he used to carry around when he was younger. He wondered when Xeno found the time to make them.
“I still think that cavities are just as bad as the damage in the lungs, but it's a kid friendly alternative”. Xeno said as he saw Stan open one and taste it.
“I like it, thanks Xe” the blonde started to get closer to the scientist. “There's just something about the flavor…”
“Oh? Perhaps I added too much? I can always make more–” his words were drowned by a kiss with strawberry flavor.
This time Stanley cut the exchange to ask “So, what do you think doc?”
“I think I have to taste it again…for a better review”.
Stanley smiled “Sure”.
They kissed again, exchanging their breaths as they slowly started to explore more of each other.
That's also that thing they lose since sharing their bed with a baby, moments like this with…intimacy and desire filling the room, as they kept making out and letting their hands roam free around them, feeling like they had all the time in the world.
As the temperature in the room slowly started to rise, a noise in the room next door interrupted their game.
Both stayed still, perhaps it was just a noise…that didn't necessarily mean…
And the crying started again. Marking the end of their situation.
Stanley stood up, getting off of Xeno and looking for his shirt that ended up on the floor at some point.
“I’ll go this time” He kissed Xeno a last time and walked towards the door.
“Dinner after you return?” He heard Xeno say.
“Sure. I’ll be quick”.
Usually the ex-soldier would be mad at any person that dared to interrupted his time with Xeno, but as soon as he watched the girl in her crib, stretching out his little arms towards him all the anger was replaced in an instant.
He took the baby in his arms feeling the now familiar weight settle and the movements of tha kid demanding his attention.
“Such a bossy girl you are” Stan lightly scold, “I couldn't have imagine that I would have two demanding princess to take care of”. He smiled to himself at that.
He certailnly wouldn't have dream on having children, much less having them with his childhood friend that he pinned over for almost all his life. He had enough with being anxious to leave Xeno everytime a new mission called, now adding a kid to that? Impossible.
But the world was different now, they were different and he no longer stays away from Xeno for long periods of time. Five years we're more than enough, he repeats himself everytime as he remembers the broken image of his scientist as he told him about his feelings and the pain for leaving him all those years.
Yeah. They would have to kill him if anyone tried to separate them again.
Once they started again but as a couple this time, Stan made sure to show Xeno the love he held for longer that he could remember, not caring about the uncomfortable glances they dragged.
He believed that was their perfect life from now on, him following Xeno as he kept making the world get back from the stone.
But then again a new variable entered, changing their lives by being this sweet girl that he's almost sure stole both of their hearts -he hates how chessy that sounds, but he can't deny that's the truth- he can't help but desire something.
Desire something everytime he sees his partner with the baby, as he feeds her and ends with the porridge all over his clothes, talking to her about the space with the passion he always had for it, playing together even what Xeno once would have call ‘senseless games that do not apport anything’, one time he even catched Xeno sleeping with the baby resting on top of him when he was supposed to be working.
All those little moment that they shared in the span of two weeks filled his heart with love.
He looked again at the baby in his arms…yeah, perhaps having a family is a possibility.
Maybe this journey wasn't going to be that bad…